Tropicals & Tender Perennials: Tropical Garden #122, 1 by dyzzypyxxy

dyzzypyxxy wrote:
Jan, you'd definitely do fine with some caladiums in your shady areas. I've done better with them here by leaving them in pots rather than planting in the ground. You can sink the pots into the ground and mulch over the pot edges for a nice natural look.They come back like gangbusters every year for me.

Jeri, it depends which varieties you plant, whether they'll tolerate the sun, I think. Mine all get at least partial shade. They make different colors on the leaves in sun than in shade, too. I don't know the name of that one I posted above, it came from Home Depot. It wilted very quickly in the sunnier spot I put it in, but is happy now in almost full shade. They sure do need a lot of water, especially if they're in the sun. I also got C. 'Miss Muffet' (first pic below) from HD and it tolerates a lot more sun than my others.

Our box stores here have lots of caladiums fully leafed out, too. They're usually only about $4 each, which in July I'd definitely go for rather than start from bulbs. I've even scored some of the fancy Thai varieties at Lowe's.

The last pic here is C.'Carolyn Wharton' a very common variety I got in a bargain bag from Sam's Club 3 years ago. 30 bulbs for $13.95. It's been a real treat. There were about 5 bulbs in that big pot, and now it's needing to be divided and spread around. (pic was taken in April, it's much bigger now)

This message was edited Jul 8, 2012 10:55 AM

This message was edited Jul 8, 2012 11:07 AM